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Doubting Abbey was inspired by Downton and became a Christmas bestseller. It was such an exciting time watching it climb the charts. At one stage I even had a Hollywood movie producer reading it. You can imagine the jumping up and down when that news came in!

But today gives me an opportunity for reflection.

What a roller coaster.

Since the 10th November 2013 I’ve had ten books published, I’ve had two agents, two publishers, I’ve changed genres, I’ve won an award, I’ve had two novels in the Amazon Top Ten…

2013 to 2018 has been an intense time. One of the most intense periods of my whole life.

So what have I learnt?

That if you are going to work incredibly hard, if you are going to challenge yourself personally and professionally in ways you never thought possible, the rewards are unimaginable…

BUT

self-care must be a top priority.

I allowed my writing to stretch across each day to the exclusion of hobbies and getting out of the house.

I allowed it to stretch across weekends.

I allowed myself to become so involved with my career and social media that I began to think those things were actually *me*. That if a book topped the charts Sam Tonge was a success. That if a book didn’t Sam Tonge was a failure.

And as my mental health deteriorated I began to feel as if I was living a double life, as if I had two faces – Samantha Tonge The Author and Sam Tonge who was secretly struggling.

I paid the price for this.

So, new authors who’ve just signed a deal… take a deep breath. Amazing things are ahead of you! But your writing career is not the sum of you. It may be a passion, a vocation, but ultimately it is a job and the peaks and troughs should not dictate your happiness.